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The first week of Mrs Young’s presence on Olive Street passed without Miss Bingley’s lady’s companion causing any concern for the housekeeper and servants.

However, there were four unpleasant instances of Miss Bingley’s temper exploding with her new lady’s maid.

The absence of Mr and Mrs Hurst allowed Miss Bingley’s true nature to surface again when dealing with servants, leading to the maid quitting early one afternoon and fleeing the house.

This young woman lasted less than a month, and it would be difficult for Caroline to hire another maid this winter.

Fortunately, Mrs Young proved talented with combs, brushes, and pins to arrange Miss Bingley’s hair in a manner that suited the woman.

The housekeeper supervised every visit by the chambermaids to Miss Bingley’s room and cared for the woman’s gowns, hats, and shoes with her own hands.

Caroline knew she could not overrule the housekeeper and bit back her complaints to prevent the servant from writing to Mr and Mrs Hurst. Fortunately for Caroline, the housekeeper did not want to worry her employers while they dealt with Old Mrs Hurst and her illness.

Without other company, Caroline complained about the servants to Mrs Young.

Mr Wickham, who joined the two ladies every afternoon for tea, led Caroline to speak in a tone that did not cause the maids to flee in tears.

Agreeing with Mr Wickham’s counsel, Mrs Young advised Caroline, “You are the lady of quality, and there is no reason to raise your voice to address your displeasure with the temperature of the bath water.”

~~~

One rainy afternoon in the middle of March, Caroline declared, “I am bored. There have been no invitations this week. How can I meet a suitable husband if I am not invited anywhere?”

Mrs Young found the previous day’s newspaper and shared a small article with Miss Bingley.

The gossip column mentioned three successful salons–informal evenings in a home without a full meal–just finger foods and drinks.

The two ladies spoke about the article for a time before Caroline remarked, “I have not been invited to any of these salons.”

Smiling confidently, Mrs Young replied, “Then invite a dozen persons to the first salon hosted by Miss Caroline Bingley. Serve rum punch with the tea and finger sandwiches after you perform on the instrument in the parlour. You play the instrument exquisitely, and your voice is lovely. Your expenses will be only one pound at most.”

“Why should I spend so much on rum and sandwiches?” asked Caroline.

Mrs Young replied, “Because you dare to serve Paté de Foie Gras, the hors d'oeuvre that is the rage in the ton.”

While she did not particularly care for the taste of goose liver paté, Caroline knew it was popular among the elite circles in London.

She stared at the newspaper for a moment and asked, “Is it acceptable to serve a French recipe in a British home while we are at war with Bonaparte and the whole of Europe?”

“Miss Bingley, the first circle of British society serves champagne and ignores the blockade,” Mrs Young reminded the young woman. “As you aspire to join their exclusive club, why should you concern yourself about the propriety of serving goose liver on toast to your guests?”

“But who will attend? I am no longer invited to reviews or parties,” Caroline replied. She had learned that enough hostesses knew her true age to limit their interest in her presence, and the absence of the rest of her family was certainly suspect.

“We shall use your brother’s name and let it be known that Mr Darcy may attend,” advised Mrs Young.

“Mr Darcy? How do I get Mr Darcy to attend my salon on Olive Street?” asked Caroline, some irritation in her voice with the apparent ease of ideas available to her companion.

Mrs Young dropped her eyes and murmured, “I did not say Darcy would attend. We shall pay the maids and footmen each a penny to spread the story among the merchants and servants in the shops. And Mr Wickham will spread the story that Mr Darcy ‘may’ attend your salon that night.”

The idea of once again being connected to the illustrious name Darcy captured Caroline’s attention, and she prepared an invitation.

Mrs Young edited it to be more appropriate and limited the invitees to six couples rather than the ten Caroline originally planned.

The guests enjoyed George Wickham’s stories, Mrs Young’s card games, Caroline’s marvellous performance at the pianoforte, and the liberal flow of rum punch that made the salon successful.

~~~

The second salon held the next week was equally successful, and even more exciting for Caroline, was the mention of her salon in the newspaper.

The appearance of her name in the newspaper led to invitations to supper in the homes of successful merchants who hoped to be invited to the next salon.

Caroline preened with the pleasure of finding herself popular and noticed.

She believed this would lead to a place within the first circles of London society in time.

During her third salon, she noticed that Mr Wickham used the gatherings to speak about his profitable business, New World Tea Company.

However, Caroline ignored the social faux pas to give all her attention to a new face, Lord John Campbell.

Mrs Young provided the man’s story while walking about the room with Caroline; the man was the younger brother of the Earl of Argyle from Scotland.

The current earl had buried his wife and had no living children.

This younger brother was acknowledged as Lord Campbell, the earl’s heir.

Most wonderfully, Campbell was widowed for two years, with children in the nursery, and needed a new wife.

Mrs Young said, “Every mamma and pappa with single daughters considered the forty-year-old man a worthwhile match for matrimony.”

During the salon, Lord Campbell enjoyed Miss Bingley’s performance on the piano, her singing, and the rum punch. Listening to Mrs Young’s coaching to be pleasant but not too forward, Caroline caught the man’s interest.

~~~

The next week, Mrs Young convinced Miss Bingley that it was best to write to her sister and brother about the salons and reveal her societal success. Immediately, Caroline stated, “Louisa and Charles will not care if I am popular in London.”

But Mrs Young replied, “Of course, they will be pleased to hear you are not sitting at home. And your letters will assuage any questions they might have upon finding your name listed in the social columns as a successful hostess. As your lady’s companion, I urge you to take this step to forestall any questions they might have. ”

Again, Caroline followed Mrs Young’s advice and wrote letters sent to Louisa and Charles.

~~~

There were invitations to supper that Lord Campbell would attend, and Mrs Young convinced Caroline to wear simple hats rather than a mass of feathers.

And Lord Campbell sought Caroline’s company at these gatherings, and there was talk about an engagement and wedding in summer among the observant guests.

George Wickham remained in the background at each meeting, escorting Miss Bingley but allowing Caroline to bring herself forward each time to ingratiate herself with Lord Campbell.

Her hopes for a future as Lady Campbell and eventually Countess of Argyll grew stronger each day.

~~~

Late in the month, as they broke their fast one morning after a supper attended by Lord Campbell in a merchant's home, Mrs Young mentioned that the nobleman commented on investments that paid dividends. Curious about the man’s statements, Miss Bingley asked, “What was it His Lordship said?”

“It was something about the East India Company,” Mrs Young stated as she concentrated as if remembering the conversation. After a moment, the lady’s companion’s face brightened as she explained, “Lord Campbell said he was anxious to find the next East India Company.”

“What do you mean by the next company? I do not understand you,” Caroline complained.

“The East India Company is very profitable; shareholders never sell their stocks. Family members inherit the stocks, and dowries often include shares,” Mrs Young replied.

“We have seen Lord Campbell speaking to Mr Wickham about the New World Tea Company. Perhaps Campbell thinks the Tea Company is the next East India? Imagine the riches to be made!”

Caroline was excited by the idea that she knew the man with the shares of the New World Tea Company. If the company were as profitable as the East India Company, Lord Campbell would certainly marry a woman who owned shares in the company.

‘My dowry…I can purchase shares in the New World Tea Company. I shall be Lady Caroline Campbell, and one day, I shall be Countess of Argyll,’ she decided.

In a small piece of her mind, Caroline wondered, ‘Should I speak with Charles?’

The thought vanished when the footman announced Lord John Campbell and Mr George Wickham had appeared at the door.

~~~

That day Lord Campbell spent many minutes with Miss Bingley and promised to call when he returned to London. Casting down her gaze and speaking demurely, Caroline asked, “Where are you to travel this spring, my lord? I shall… We shall miss your company here in London.”

The man smiled and explained, “My brother, the Earl of Argyle, wishes me to survey his properties in Ireland. I shall be gone for over a month, and I promise to call when I return.”

Smiling congenially, Caroline replied, “I shall look forward to your return, Lord Campbell.”

Kissing Caroline’s hand, the nobleman exited the house on Olive Street.

Caroline stood at the window, watching his carriage move away from the curb and blend into the other carriages and wagons in the street.

At Caroline’s side, Mrs Young said, “Miss Bingley, I believe Lord Campbell will ask for a private audience when he returns.”

“I hope it is so,” Caroline replied. When she turned from the window, the woman noticed George Wickham sitting quietly with a cup of tea and a saucer in his hands.

The hostess approached the gentleman and asked, “Mr Wickham, are you well? You are very quiet today.”

“Thank you for your concern, Miss Bingley. I am just distracted by some developments in my business,” Wickham replied. “It is nothing that should concern a lady such as yourself.”

“Now, Wickham,” fussed Mrs Young. “You know Miss Bingley, and I both are interested in the New World Tea Company and your profits.”

Miss Bingley admitted, “I do not wish for anyone to hear such discussions occurring in the parlour, but the three of us can discuss your business affairs, Mr Wickham.”

“Thank you, Miss Bingley. I have an opportunity to expand my business by purchasing a cargo ship,” Wickham replied.

“Are you going to send it to the East Indies on the other side of the world?” asked Caroline.

“No, I do not want to send my first ship to the east for two years. I shall send it with tea and British goods to one of the colonies in America where the other ships call. The captain will return with rum, tobacco, and sugar to sell here in London.”

“This is cause to celebrate, Mr Wickham!” declared Mrs Young.

“Yes, if Mr Darcy makes his investment,” replied Wickham.

Caroline asked, “Is Mr Darcy investing in your business? He never spoke of business in my company last autumn.”

“He expressed an interest when he heard about the ship, but now he hesitates. I offered him a new preferred stock that would be paid ahead of every other investor. I have fifteen hundred shares at twenty pounds a share.”

“How much would his investment be?”

“Thirty thousand pounds–his total income for three years. I think he hesitates to commit such a large sum. The last word I had from him is that he has gone to Rosings for the month of April to consult with his aunt about investing part of his cousin’s estate in the venture.”

Wickham continued, “I assured Darcy I expect to recover half of the investment in the first trip. After two trips across the Atlantic, we would have profits annually afterwards.”

Caroline asked, “Two years before profits? How much money are you talking about?”

“The preferred stock will pay about fifteen thousand pounds in profits annually.”

“And you need thirty thousand pounds to start this business?” asked Caroline.

“Yes, I need the funds to purchase the ship.”

“Darcy can afford ten or fifteen thousand himself and he needs to locate an investor for the rest,” Wickham said. He leaned closer and said, “I believe he wants to keep the wealth within his family and improve his cousin’s marriage prospects with an investment.”

“Does Rosings Park have such an income?”

“The cousin might have a dowry of some monies, or Darcy might plan to mortgage the farms,” suggested George.

“Her dowry? Can the funds of a dowry be invested in company stocks?” Miss Bingley asked.

Wickham acted as though he had not heard the question, and Caroline repeated her question, “Mr Wickham, can a dowry be used to purchase shares in a company?”

“Forgive me, Miss Bingley, I was planning a letter to Darcy,” Wickham replied. “Yes, the funds in a dowry can be used to invest in a company.”

Caroline stood and declared breathlessly, “I have twenty thousand pounds that I should like to invest in your business.”

Smiling broadly, George replied, “Marvellous, Miss Bingley! We shall ask your brother for permission and get him to come to London to sign the papers.”

Lifting her nose to express her opinion of her brother, Caroline explained, “No, I have attained my majority and can make my own decisions regarding my dowry.”

Mrs Young interrupted the conversation with a warning, “Twenty thousand is a great deal of money, Miss Bingley. You must not use it all in a single investment. Use only half of your fortune in this investment.”

“Why not all?” queried Caroline.

“The ship might sink, or there could be another war, making travel to America impossible,” Mrs Young continued.

Turning toward George, Caroline asked, “What do you advise, Mr Wickham?”

“Invest only ten thousand pounds,” George replied. “I shall obtain the remaining twenty thousand from Mr Darcy and his aunt, Lady Caroline de Bourgh.”

“Will that give Mr Darcy more say in this new business venture?”

“Yes, Miss Bingley. He will control two-thirds of the stock,” George admitted.

“Then I shall invest fifteen thousand pounds and be equal partners with Mr Darcy in your new ship.”

Mrs Young smiled and said, “With such a move Miss Bingley, I believe Lord Campbell will beat off Mr Darcy’s attempts to regain your attention.”

Finding herself in front of a mirror, Caroline preened and replied, “Mr Darcy has money, but Lord Campbell will likely be the Earl of Argyle soon, and his wife will be Countess of Argyle. How can being merely Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy compare with being a countess?”

~~~